The Printed Page

Nothing will ever replace books in my life. There's something about extending the life of a story over weeks compared to hours with movies that immerses me into an alter world during the time I'm in the book. Over the past month I have read three books I would recommend in a heartbeat:

First was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Step back in time to the world of Mississippi during the early 60's. It all came flooding back to me, the racial tensions, the talk about Ku Klux Klan. But the book created three endearing friends that I miss already. Very well written. (One word of caution: One chapter could be given an R rating and may be offensive to some. For that reason I could not recommend it for our Relief Society book group. Having experienced real life, I personally did not find it offensive, but rather a further commentary on the Devil's view of the role of women distorted in the mind of a bad man.)

Second was The Magician's Elephant. This is an early chapter book designed for about a fourth grade reading level by Kate DiCamillo (Tale of Desperoux). I bought it for my grandson and as I was wrapping it, I thought I'd better make sure it was an okay book. Two hours later I finished it. Could not put it down! So I bought myself a copy. Because I want to read it over and over again. Out loud. Some books just beg to be read out loud, I think, and the cat seemed to enjoy the sound of my voice as my tongue played with the delightful writing in this book.

Third was The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans. I just finished this yesterday. (Started it Friday.) He has another hit on his hands.. This is a similar but more realistic story about a modern day Scrooge. I loved the message of forgiveness given in this story. After all, isn't that what the message of Christ really is? What He gave us should never be lost in all the other gifts of Christmas.